Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-12
A RICH COUNTRY.
MURPHY, wxsTRRS NORTH CAROLINA,
And ira SURROUNDINGS.
Its Outlook and It's Conneotions-The
Prospecting Tour and observations
Of q Richmond Man.

from the Atlanta Constitution giving
some account of investments that were
being made in Western North Carolina,
and stating that Richmond parties were
interested in the building upof Murphy,
in Cherokee county, that section. MIR.
Edward Z. Valentine who, as an ana
lytical chemist aud minoralogist, has
been representing some of the Rich
mond parties referred TO, is in the
city and was yesterday interviewed
by n Dispatch representative in
regard to the development and
prospects of Western North Carolina.
Mr.. Valentine has made four visits to
that section, and in all has covered on
foot and on horseback some fivethou-
sand miles in prospecting. Upon being
asked to describe Murphy and the sur
rounding country, he said;
MURPHY.
Murphy is the county-seat OF Chero-
kee county, the extreme western coun-
ty in North Carolina. 1t is situated at
the mouth of Valley river, where this
ryer empties into Hiawassee river, and
is lust three miles above where Motley
river enters into the Hiawassee. The
Hiawassee empties into the Tennessee.
The town is 900 feet above sea-level,
and the outlet of what may be termed
a basin formed by nine counhes-vlz.,
Cherokee, Graham, Swain, Jackson,
Macon, and Clay, In North Carolina,
and Towns, Union, and Fannin,
in Georgia. This basin or bowl
is shut in by the Smokey and the Balsam
mountains on the northeast and north
west respectively. In these counties
all of the minerals belonging to the
Archaen formation are with few excep-
tons found, and Murphy is the natural
exit for the products Of these coun-
ties-the valleys along the streams
affording the best grades for railroads.
RAILROADS.
What are the railroads OF the section
built and projected -?
The Western North Carolina and
the Marietta and North Georgia are in
process OF construction. The former is
completed from Salisbury to Red Marble
Gap, the head of Valley river, and is
being built through this gap. BY the
way, the tunnel and grading at this
point are in charge of Mr.. Hankins, a
Richmond engineer. When through
the gap the road will come
down the valley-through one of the
most picturesque and naturally fertile
wales in the country-to Muir
ply. The Marietta and North Georgia,
which is to run from Atlanta, Ga, to
Knoxville, Tenn, ria Murphy, is
graded TO within six miles of Murphy.
A charter has been granted for a road
from Chattanooga to Murphy, and
during this month a preliminary sur
yey will be made.
Then you think Murphy must become
q railroad centre
Certainly that will be apparent to
you from glance at The map of that
country. The Chattanooga and Muir
ply road will give il direct connection
with the West the Marietta and North
Georgia connections North and South,
and the Western North Carolina extern
sion connection with the East and
Richmond. Besides tits proposed to ex-
tend the Murphy and Chattanooga
southeast. SO as to connect with the AIR
Line in the neighborhood OF Rabun-
Gap Junction.
You think Murphy a good place for
investments!
Not only Murphy, but the surround
ing country. All the counties, in fact,
which l have mentioned. Murphy Is
only an incidental, so to speak. Ii the
country around is developed Murphy
cannot help becoming thriving place.
Must boom. you mean?
Well, no; not in the ordinary and
speculative sense. Ibelieve that it will
become a place of solid growth and
prosperity. Indeed, within the last
few years-that is, since there has been
the prospect of railroad connection
the place has been growing very rapid
ly. 1t was not until 1919 that the In
dams were removed from that county.
How many inhabitants has the place :?
About 400. What the prospect Of
railroad connection has done for the
town is indicated by the fact that there
are now there three brick-yards estab-
lished for the purpose OF furnishing
brick for the houses that are to be put
up this year
SPECIALISTS.
What class OF people is that section
attracting the attention of
AL classes but there IS notable IN
fiux of specialists-men from ali over
the country looking for agricultural
lands with the purpose OF settling
men looking for timber, men looking
for different kinds of minerals. Here
Is a man looking for nothing but gold
there one bent on iron-yonder one
interested III marble, &c.
CAPABILITIES OF TuE COUNTY,.
What, from your observation, are the
capabilities OF the country ?
The valleys are well suited for vegeta-
bles and small Grain {; the hil.sideo for
grapes and apple specially. 1t Is one
OF tie finest fruit countries in the
world. IN the high coves above the
1rOSI bc4L iLc ttCIi-tlNhdluo dlO mag
niiicent. The mountain land, which
at present Is largely covered with tim
Der, when cleared affords splendid
ranges for cattle, goats, and sheep.
Indeed, the raising OF goats espe-
cially Is destined to become large
interest in that country. The climate
seems peculiarly suited to the AngOra.
The timber and sumac would supply
bark and sumsc mills for an indefinite
period. At the head OF the rivers there
Is a great deal OF good poplar, oak,
and hickory. Tie most of the mar
ketable walnut has already been shipped
ont.
MINERALS.
What about the minerals ?
may mention rs having been found
in Cherokee and Fannin, situated fol-
development and market, iron, manga.
nese, marble, sienna paints, tale, and
gold. In Macon, Jackson, and Clay
counties mica, asbestos, corundum,
kaolin, chronic iron, and magnetic
.~,,, alon oaptbifa on1 ynanUanasa